As most of you know, Kaeli lost her life at the young age of 19, in a tragic accident that occurred on Tuesday, May 26th, 2009. Kaeli had just finished her first day of a summer Physics course at Farmingdale State University. As she was walking towards the campus bookstore, a truck killed her and critically injured Aresh Saqib, a young man who was walking next to her.

Kaeli Kramer was an honor student who in 2008 graduated from the Knox School in St. James, where she was class valedictorian. She was Student Council President and had received numerous school awards for character, community service and academic excellence. Kaeli completed her freshman year with honors at Centenary College in Hackettstown, New Jersey. At Centenary, she majored in Biology and Equine Studies, as she aspired to become an equine veterinarian. Kaeli was selected to serve as a First Year Leader and Teaching Assistant for her Sophomore year.

Kaeli volunteered in therapeutic riding programs, and at Centenary intended to obtain her certification in this field. She rode on the Dressage Team and cared for her beloved horses Sundance and Gia. She lived with and loved many animals, but shared an especially deep connection with her cherished cat, Annie.

Her passion in life was to help animals, and in particular she loved horses and wanted to improve their quality of life. Kaeli had witnessed the manner in which horses are routinely mistreated at the race track and at other places as well. She knew that so many of the horses that race and are ridden ultimately end their lives at the slaughterhouse. She wanted to change this.

Kaeli cared deeply for all animals, and because of this, she was a vegetarian. She enjoyed cooking and felt compelled to educate others about the evils of factory farming.

Kaeli touched the lives of virtually everyone she met with her kindness, selfless giving and radiant smile. The world was a much better place with her in it. With her gone we feel pain and a void that words cannot describe. Yet, her spirit continues to inspire all of us to take up this mission on behalf of the animals.